Day 2: Testimony Focuses on Contractor's Poor Progress on Park Street
Download AudioDay 2: Testimony Focuses on Contractor's Poor Progress on Park Street
Day two of Mayor Eddie Perez's corruption trial included more testimony about why the city of Hartford kept contractor, Carlos Costa, on a job that was poorly run and off schedule. Perez has been charged with bribery and fabricating evidence related to work Costa did on the Mayor's home that prosecutors say got Costa special treatment.
WNPR's Lucy Nalpathanchil reports
During the morning session the prosecution called two witnesses, Najib Habesch and John Bertolli. Both men worked for the consulting firm that the city hired to manage the Park Street project. Habesch says from the beginning, the firm noticed problems with the work done by Costa's contracting company. He says there was no way Costa could fulfill the contract's obligations.
"Our determination was that the progress of the work was very slow and there was concerns on our part on the quality."
Habesch says he was at the same meeting that Assistant Public Works Director, John McGrane referenced during testimony on Wednesday that included dept of public works officials, the city attorney, and an advisor to the mayor, Charles Crosini. Habesch recounted leaving the meeting with the understanding that everyone agreed on terminating the contract with Costa and that the next step was to notify the bonding company which insures the project. However, attorney for Mayor Perez, Hope Seeley countered that the consultant wasn't privy to all the meetings or discussions the city had related to Costa's contract.
"Seeley: And it's been your experience that the client may listen to your recommendation may accept it but then they can change their mind upon reflection? Habesch: yes."
Seeley continued that Crosini, an advisor to the Mayor, had sent another letter to the bonding company which made no mention of terminataing the contract. That's because Costa threatened to sue the city. Perez's attorneys claim Crosini and the Mayor chose not to fire Costa to avoid expensive litigation and more project delays. In the end, the project was completed two and a half years late and Costa still sued the city for unpaid claims. Costa's testimony is expected this week.
For WNPR, I'm Lucy Nalpathanchil
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